Kenora Association for Community Living
Residential Options Policy Analysis Paper
Note on Board Policy
Board Policy is marked in blue on the website at http://www.kacl.ca/ or bold dark print on paper.
History of
Residential Options
The first residential option for persons with special needs
in the Kenora area was the same option as the population in general - the Family
of Origin home of origin. Up until 1960 the only other option was relocation to
North West Regional Centre,
The first KACL Group Home in the Kenora area past was located on Rat Portage First Nations Community (Wauzhushk Onigum) in the early 1970s followed by the opening up of a 15 person group home in 1975.
Staff Live-in Residence: For a brief period in 1980's the Association had a group home at 15 Gun which for a period had a staff person who lived in their home.
Share Care: A share care program is a home where the care is provided both by staff and family of origin. See Share Care Policy Analysis Paper
Life sharing as defined in this paper is the sharing of living situation and accommodation with another: simply put, one or more persons sharing time together by choice. Further Information on this option may be found on the KACL Website at http://www.kacl.ca/Kacl%20Lifesharing%20Policy%20Analysis%20Paper.htm
Appendix A Mission Statement
The goal of KACL is to ensure that all persons with special
needs have the opportunity to live a meaningful and satisfying lifestyle and
interact as an equal in their community by providing continuing opportunities
for personal growth through education, training, support, advocacy and an
informed public.
Appendix B Residential Living Options
1. Extended family Homes (with or without staff supports) - Generally home of origin or siblings home. Supports and training are provided to increase independence, to face difficulties in family living and in developing autonomy within an existing family structure. Monitoring is largely a family matter.
2. Total Institution[1]. Defined by Goffman[2] as a place of residence and work where a large number of like-situated individuals, cut off from the wider society for an appreciable period of time, together lead an enclosed, formally administered round of life.
3. Paid Staff Group Home Least desirable and most intrusive residential option. Paid staff provides services on a rotational basis. Supervision of staff and residence is provided. Monitoring provided by Quality Assurance Program, and relatives and friends. Relatives and friend monitoring tends to be minimal. This is the most expensive model. Homes of 3 or more individuals are referred to as Group Living by government. Monies might be saved by moves to greater part-time staffed residence; less staff with specialized staff, e.g. only for meals and greater use of family or friends, and by the use of non staff such as college students who sleep over night and hence avoid the need for night staff.
4. Staff Supported Independent living- originally called SIL residence live independently except for staff that provide support on an individual client basis. Supervision and monitoring is minimal. This is considerably cheaper form of service but in part its availability is restricted to those who can live relatively independent.
5. Family Home Programs- Analogous to foster homes clients reside with persons who receive fees and room and board. Support is provided rather than supervision. Monitoring is minimal except for Quality Assurance Committee Program assessment.
6. Life-Sharing- Difference between 3 & 4 is thee level of commitment made by the lifesharers. Agreement envisions a lifetime commitment of life sharing, a commitment to nurture growth and development and to build a natural and personal support network.